'Big Ticket' prayer points for the UK (and beyond?)

...and the vital importance of discerning the will of God in corporate intercession.

Preamble

Praying regularly in a small intimate group with fellow believers whom we know well is a great blessing indeed: but what happens when – on very important issues – there are differing views? When asked by one of his disciples, “teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1) Jesus answered in what has since become known as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. (In fact it should be more correctly called ‘The Disciples’ Prayer’.) And so we pray: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Luke 11:2 KJV).

It’s a great prayer; but it come sometimes be employed as a ‘catch all’ petition with little thought and even less spiritual discernment behind the plea. But surely we are called to pray in an ‘informed’ manner; in the will of the Lord as revealed by His Word and His Spirit?

Differing views

At the time preceding the vote in the UK on whether or not to leave the European Union, a group of mature Christian leaders who had met and prayed together for a period of years found that they were at odds in their opinions on that major yes/no issue of great spiritual import.
Accordingly, this situation revealed a serious problem: in fact it highlighted more than one serious problem.

First of all it showed that half (let’s say) of the grouping were – in terms of God’s will – right; and the other half wrong.

The God we serve and pray to is not double-minded: nor does the Holy Spirit speak with a forked tongue.

Leaving aside the issue itself, it would therefore also seem that a substantial number of ‘leaders’ were not in fact hearing from the Lord. Indeed in the particular situation it appeared that some supported their views with reference to socio-political/economic rationale and personal leanings than on God-given spiritual direction.

The God we serve and pray to is not double-minded: nor does the Holy Spirit speak with a forked tongue. Jesus instructed in his ‘Revelation’ letters to the seven churches,

“Let he who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 2:7 ff).

And so too today. It is therefore incumbent on us to discern the will of God so we can pray into the will of God, that indeed God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
But how do we – collectively in the case of communal prayer – hear from God? How do we, at any one moment or on any one issue know for certain how to pray? On issues on which the Word of God gives no clear direction, one very important means of discerning the mind of God is to share our thoughts with one another and then hold these views before the Lord in prayer for the Holy Spirit’s affirmation (or not).

Major spiritual issues in our day and age

In our present day there are major spiritual issues facing the United Kingdom and the world beyond.
The nature of the issues and the respective views listed below are shared by a number of spiritually mature and discerning Christian believers who feel the need to recognise and pray regarding: -

The extreme danger – political, physical, societal and supremely, spiritual – of a totalitarian, often extremely violent ideology which operates on the foundation of an anti-Christian and anti-Semitic religious belief system.

The extreme danger of the continuing and strenuous efforts to totally subvert and distort the God-given model for marriage and personal identity; and to outrageously abuse and corrupt the minds of even the youngest children through indoctrination (masquerading as 'education').

The sexual abuse of, and the attacks upon infants, older children and adults.

The anti-God spirit resident in the heart of the European experiment which seeks to enslave and dominate every country under its control.

The universal and enduring racial and religious hatred of the Jewish people and the land of Israel.

The dark spirit behind nationalism in Scotland (and perhaps elsewhere) which would seek the breakup of the United Kingdom as a (unwritten) constitutional monarchy i.e. the ‘Queen in Parliament’ as a reigning monarch who is in sworn allegiance to the ultimate authority of God.

The increasing suppression and criminalisation of free speech through the legal system, and the outlawing of expressions of the Christian faith in both public bodies and private enterprise.

The attacks on the sanctity of life; principally at both ends of the age spectrum.

The profanity, immorality, perversion and violence which are regular features of television, video and electronic media.

The corruption, greed and illicit behaviour which continues to be exposed (but also covered-up) in many areas of life including the main pillars of society.

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For meaningful fellowship in corporate prayer there needs to be a consensus on all major topics amongst any group of believers.

Do these views reflect the mind of God in this present hour and generation? Can those who regularly pray together find a corporate "Amen" regarding these points? If not, how meaningful is that prayer fellowship?Footnotes:1. The above points have been developed in consultation with a number of spiritually-discerning prayerful believers. The list could be much longer but these are posited as being issues of prime importance in consensual prayer. 2. It is hoped to do a 'sister' article regarding issues within the church, so any responses should be restricted to issues within the nation.3. The response facility (below) can be used by Christian believers to express any thoughts on the above. (Comments from other sources are liable to be removed.)4. Bona fide responses can be made using a pseudonym if so desired, but the writer should make themselves known to the Editor by private e-mail.

This country, this once strong man reposes terminally ill in his death bed. And as he lies there dying he has a feed tube inserted into his mouth, and a drip tube intravenously connected to his right arm. At the moment the intravenous tube has been closed by a clamping device, and this sick old man is sucking desperately on the tube in his mouth - the tube being connected to a bottle whose narcotic contents are grey, and which carries a label marked "more spiritual compromise".The other tube, the one which is attached to his right arm (but for the moment is clamped shut) is connected to a bottle which is suspended above his head, whose contents are blood red, and which carries a label which states: 'Freely and selflessly given at Calvary for the regeneration of mortal life and the resurrection to eternal life'.And the tragedy of this very real scenario is that the only reason that the life-giving transfusion isn't flowing into the sick old man's arm is that it is the vice like grip of his own hand which has clamped the tube. It is the patient's own continuing, deliberate and stubborn rejection of Christ which is killing him. Christ's feelings towards those who reject him are clearly expressed in Matthew 23/37-38: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Jesus has provided the transfusion; He's even provided the intravenous tube - the spiritual umbilical - His Holy Spirit. All that any man, or any nation of men need do is spit out the tube in their ever-hungry mouth, and in releasing their self-determining grip on the eternal artery of life, receive from Jesus Christ.If the people of this country seek real freedom, real safety, real security, real peace in their lives, and the real assurance of eternal life with God in Heaven, then they, one and all, have no real choice to make, for the only God who can deliver reality in any sphere of existence is, not unnaturally, the only real God - Jesus Christ, which facts are consistently and clearly stated in the sixty-six books which constitute the Holy Bible.

And, as I view Scotland now, all that I can see and smell is the disordered, decaying and putrefying flesh of its once living carcass.Scotland no longer needs healing - it needs resurrection.

"The challenge that I have received centres upon our response to the current confusion over our departure from the EU. I believe that we are being called to stand and to declare a ‘no deal’ outcome. We should not negotiate with contrary spiritual powers that are working to overturn God’s ordained will. We have been called to severe ourselves from the ungodly EU and to trust Him to deliver us into our national redemptive calling.Such declaration should be widely communicated both within the church and in the public square".

jack (Guest)

28/02/2018 15:24

I do not understand what is meant by 'National Redemptive Calling' - does it have a scriptural base to which I could refer?From my standpoint the UK is as godless as any in the European conglomerate.The only growing spirit in Scotland at the moment is Islam - which denies Christ's divinity and relegates Him to the mere status of prophet while substituting Him with a god of human devisingSome have suggested that Scotland will be a Muslim country by the mid fifties..........And sadly, when you consider that the majority of the population in this country are governed by a spirit which denies Christ's divinity, relegates Him to the status of a good man and then substitutes Him with a god of their own or someone else's devising then....Scotland, generically speaking, is already a Muslim nation.I do pray for this nation - but, we are in the end times - and we are told to expect a great falling away, and I have long since started to think that, in praying for revival, I am praying against God's will.

Colin Ford (Guest)

28/02/2018 23:11

Tom Cunliffe makes some very astute points. Christians are to be IN the world, but not OF the world (John 17.16, 1 john 2.15, 12.12 etc.) What can be more worldly than getting mired down in (worldly) politics?

My old friend Jack also raises a very salient issue (among others); the Islamic problem. As a staunch pre-millennial believer, certainly, I would agree with him, that in "praying for revival" it is somewhat tantamount to "praying against God's will." The Bible says Antichrist must come first then God in Christ will destroy him "with the brightness of His Coming." 2 Thessalonians 2.8. As a believer resident on that once Reformed Calvinistic stronghold hitherto known as the Isle of Lewis, I hardly need to tell you what I think of our first mosque, currently under construction!?As regards "our national redemptive calling" I trust Editor will clarify exactly what he means. Perhaps, he is alluding to the part our once great nation will take part in Christ's soon coming reign on Earth?

Dr John N Sutherland (Guest)

01/03/2018 11:10

I am in complete agreement with these points. A friend shared 14 points of a fascist state, and I counted 11 active in Scotland today. My reflections are not knee-jerk, but from a sincere Bible-believing convert from atheism. I find the people hardened, deaf and blind. No-one wants (I choose the word carefully) to hear the gospel. It seems that the response is better even in Islamic states. I take heart from the great things being achieved abroad, but I am petrified Scotland is (being) lost.I am also a Gideon, and so I see open doors in some schools and bitterly closed doors elsewhere. And, do these children read the Ns we distribute? I pray so, but wide is the road and many are travelling the wrong way, narrow is the gate and few are finding it.Re nationalism. I used to be an SNP member. but now my family have plans to leave this country if it becomes an independent, and inevitably, atheist republic.

jack (Guest)

01/03/2018 12:42

Given that Christians are not to identify themselves with or extend affection (care and concern?) to the world (1 John 2/15-16) I wonder if Christ’s words in Matthew 5/13-14 have been correctly interpreted to mean that believers must attempt to impose divine precepts on godless societies.Might the description of believers being the salt of the earth not be better understood to mean that presence of believers on earth is the only reason that God preserves it from destruction?Just a thought..........

Jack, the article is about 'points for prayer' and this discussion thread is to discuss same. Any further posts which deviate into other issues will be removed. In fact one (or possibly) two comments from any one person is sufficient.

Colin, please revisit earlier post. The phrase "our national redemptive calling" is not mine but was included in something sent to me.

Jack (Guest)

01/03/2018 18:50

Sorry ed.

Colin Ford (Guest)

07/03/2018 22:09

Yes Editor, after re-reading the post in question, I can clearly see the phrase in question was not yours. However, it would be good to know exactly what your anonymous correspondent means by "our national redemptive calling"? Perhaps he/she would enlighten us? I can only believe that this person must be a pre-millennial believer, otherwise (in my opinion at least) the phrase makes no sense!

I think what was/is meant by the remark relates to the view that Britain has been, is being (Brexit) and will be used by God in his end-time prophetic purposes e.g. saved from the Spanish Armada/Napoleon/Hitler; the Balfour Declaration which paved the way for the modern state of Israel. I don't know whether the remark also has shades of 'British Israelism'? (A view I do not hold, but on which others may think differently.)

What I would say is that I believe the EU is a godless/God-defying spiritual entity.

While Scripture makes specific mentions of (some) countries in end-time prophesies I do not find any references that speak of Britain (or the USA for that matter).